justmel1957

I knew for years I had a very large HH. Terrible, awful reflux at night. Sometimes aspirating the fluid and acquiring pnemonias from it. Having the HH repaired was wonderful! What a joy to lay down at night and not worry that this will be another night of waking up gasping for air due to inhaling the acid. I'm so thrilled with the repair and was so glad my doc repaired it while he was in there.

I am easily freaked out and get obsessed by the numbers, so I choose at this point anyway to only weigh at my monthly Dr's visits. Then, its always a pleasant surprize! I've been banded 4 months. Once I get to goal, I plan to weigh weekly.

I want to have a big family portrait taken (with the grandkids and in laws).................one I will be proud to display

You might also re-check your actual height. I found I was an inch shorter now than I thot I was. I guess I hadn't been measured since high-school (33 years ago-ugh) and was going by what I thot my height was. When the doctor measured me, I was actually 1 inch shorter.

I guess I'm just the opposite..............I LUV purging the closet, bagging things up and moving them out. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I'm done. One of those NSV's for sure. I've been buying cheaper "transition" clothes from places like Cato's and have even found some designer pieces at our local Goodwill to get me thru the falling sizes.

I don't have a scale either. I prefer to weigh only at my monthly office visits. I find it much less frustrating and accurate.

I'm sure it also depends on your starting weight/BMI. If you have 70-80 lbs to lose, I'm sure your loss would be slower than those who have 200 or more to lose. Metabolism and age also play a factor as well as how much you exercise and calorie count. Good luck!

Looks like its working great for you.............you look fabulous!

I agree with you totally. I still cook "big" for my normal weight husband. He is very healthy and physically active. I bake the sweets, and still buy all the things he loves. I too, knew going in that this was MY journey and I had to get my head around it. Temptations are not going to go away. I just have to find ways to work around them. I do try to bake right after I've had a meal and feel full, then I store the goodies out of plain sight so they aren't the first thing I see when I open the cabinet door or the frig. My DH is very supportive and tries to be as considerate as he can if he is eating something I adore, but I don't ask him to give up his favorites, just because I can't have them. I'm taking joy in my improving appearance and smaller clothes! LOL It feels much better than a slice of pecan pie anyway!

Good luck to you..............keep us posted. Altho I didnt get a pre-cert number as you would with an admission, I did receive a letter stating that i met the requirements for the LB and that my surgery would be paid. I got that about a week before I had the surgery. Kentucky also faxed my doctor and me a "pre-determination" coverage letter. Hope everything works out for you..............

I submitted the 5 year documentation, but it wasnt a big deal. I just typed out the various diets I had been on, my approx loss and regain and the office submitted it along with my "plea" letter and other tests that were required.

Yes, you can have surgery anywhere that is a BCBS provider. Some states might be more leanient on approvals, so ask around. You may decide that a border state might have faster and easier processing. The state you are having the surgery in, is the state that will review and approve/deny it. Not your residing state. I think if your BMI is on the lower end, you do probably need to supply any co-morbidities even if they seem minor to you. I rec'd my approval in about 2 weeks.

I am a federal employee with the Federal BCBS. I carry the basic option. My surgery was covered with just a small co-pay ($100) and my fills/visits are a $30 co pay each visit. Not bad at all. I live in Illinois, but had surgery in Kentucky with no problems. I had a lower BMI (37) and not many co-morbidities. (bad reflux, minor BP, some back pain, etc). Fep Blue covers banding..........but you have to be approved thru the state you are having the surgery in. Good luck. Just be sure your doc is a BCBS provider.

Sally's also has the generic version of Nioxin. My hairdresser says it is exactly the same thing, only much cheaper.

I too have a 4cc band inserted May 7, 2008. Got a fill yesterday bringing me to 3.5cc. I think this may be my sweet spot. It's hard to tell just yet-on liquids for 24 hrs. Good luck to you..............the other poster was correct, there is definately a learning curve for all of us.

I live in Illinois but go to Dr. Alex Argotte in Paducah, KY (Lourdes Weight Loss Center). Insurance covered me, and I'm not sure what his rate is for self-pay, but he is very good. You might check into it.

Here's a hint to flatten those fizzy drinks really fast. When I was still working as a nurse on the peds ward, the docs would order flat soda for them and when a child is crying, you need to get them flat fast. The kitchen told us their secret................put the carbonated drink in a blender and let er rip! Blending will take the fizz out of it real quick.........

I can do small sandwiches if I toast the bread. Can usually do a "wrap" easier. Pizza.....can only do if it is a very thin or crispy crust. I do take very small sips with meals or a bite of applesauce to wet my mouth. I don't drink so don;t know about that one............ Snacks, sometimes. I don't make a habit of it, but might have a half a peach or a no fat cheese "stick" if I need it. But I don't snack routinely. Only if I feel a real need

Exercise has been my biggest challenge and I still haven't conquered it..........I try to find fun activities such as biking or dancing w/ my PS2 dance mat, but can't say I really luv it yet! LOL

I've always taken my pills whole too...............my doc allows.

I too had the "OMG what have I done"? feeling for about a week to 10 days. It gradually subsided and now 3 months out I am soooo happy I had it done. Give yourself time to adjust and heal, walk a lot, and follow doctors orders. I think you will feel much better in a few days...............

I could easily be obessed by daily numbers. I have been known pre-band to weigh myself 10 times a day. I have vowed to only weigh in at my monthy dr's appointments and am looking at NSV's inbetween. Then I'm not frustrated when the doc says " you've lost 6 lbs this month" I can be happy. If I had weighed daily, 6 pounds per month can seem like so little, but seems glorious if you weigh only weekly or monthly.

Thanks for the Biotin info. I'm gonna try that. Had my surgery May 7th. I've been losing quite a bit of hair. But, actually, I've always lost a lot of hair when shampooing and it always has seemed to make no difference (my hair has always been thick and coarse) but, I can tell that it has thinned some the past couple of months. My hairdresser also told me that Sallly's carries the generic version of Nioxin-it's called: Nutri Ox....they carry the shampoo, conditioner, and treatment drops. She said the ingredients are exact to Nioxon. I plan to try it soon also. I've got hair I could spare, but I prefer not to!! LOL